Paying extra for phones in Bekasi

Paying extra for phones in Bekasi

JAKARTA (JP): Some prospective customers of the state-owned
telecommunications company PT Telkom in the Bekasi area are
disappointed upon finding out that to have their phone lines
installed they have to give extra money to officials.

A resident of Taman Galaksi, a real estate complex in Bekasi,
disclosed that an official of PT Telkom offered him assistance in
having a telephone installed immediately in his house, provided he
give the official between Rp 25,000 (US$11.35) and Rp 50,000,
Antara reported.

The news agency also reported the company had promised an
unidentified resident in Pekayon area, Bekasi, that his telephone
would be operational in Dec. 1994, but the company later announced
that the telephone would start functioning in January 1995. (mas)